KH: Relaxing In The Hold

Posted on Sun Oct 5th, 2025 @ 1:33pm by Theeressa & Master Craftman Mari

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Kymos Hold
Timeline: M3 D18

Mari was just starting to get into a nice pattern at the hold. It was nice here, a bit more relaxed than in the north. She was enjoying teaching the children- who were more animated than in the north- and she had been able to perform several times. She was new, a novelty, and the people wanted to hear her frequently. She knew they would get their fill of her soon enough and she wouldn’t have as many chances to get out her pipes. And that was okay.

Today had been busy, but she felt fulfilled. There was a guitar with a neck that had come unglued that needed repair. Then she’d assessed a drum, but it was beyond repair, so she had started the hunt for a new shell and skin. She had three prospective shells and five prospective skins. But at that point, it was her turn to oversee the children, so she had put aside her tools.

And now, she had just finished her dinner. Nobody had yet approached her to perform, for which she was grateful for once. She had played her pipes this much in turns. While scanning the dining hall, she spotted a women attempting to hold a baby while eating and decide that this would simply not do. So, she returned her empty dish to the kitchen and headed over. “You look like you could use some help,” she said.

Theeressa glanced up from where Kassa was wiggling a little and sighed a little. It was not often that she ate in the hold much preferring her own kitchen and little cottage but with Riklan on night shift it was easier to have the evening meal there with Laressa there. “Help?” The cook wondered, glancing up at the master crafter and paled a little. “I mean I think I am fine master crafter.”

“Hello Master Mari.” Laressa said brightly having met her in the afternoon.

Mari gave Laressa a grin and wave. “Are you sure?” she asked the woman. “I could hold the baby while you eat. I don’t mind. In fact, I love holding babies, so it would be an absolute joy.”

Theeressa looked reluctant but it would be easier to eat her meal if Kassa was in someone else’s arms. “I would appreciate that if you are sure you do not mind.” Laressa knew the woman so it meant the woman was part of the harper staff there.

Mari managed to keep from squealing in delight as she sat and held her arms out for the baby. “Of course I don’t mind,” she said. “I’m Mari, by the way.”

“Theeressa. This little one is Kassa and her sister eating who I guess you have met is Laressa.” Theeressa said slowly, handing the baby over to the woman and making sure there was enough space for her at the table as several other people around them shifted.

“We did offer Master Harper too.” The kindly looking healer said from across the table with a knowing smile at the young woman.

Mari gave him a grin. “I believe you,” she replied. “Sometimes, many tongues must offer before help is accepted.” Then she looked down at the baby now settled happily in her arms. “Isn’t that right?” she said in the most soothing and cheerful voice possible. “It is, isn’t it? Yes. Yes it is!”

The healer smiled as she watched the baby staring up at the new voice.

“She normally likes that tone.” Theeressa said quietly.

“It is lovely to see you here Theeressa.” The healer smiled. “Master Mari has been playing beautifully.” She approved of the younger woman’s pipe playing. “You should bring the babies more often and let us look after so you and Riklan can dance.”

“I am sure that Riklan would like that if he was not on nights.” Theeressa said as Laressa laughed at Mari talking to her sister.

“I’m sure I could be persuaded to perform late some afternoon,” Mari put in, still in the soft ‘baby’ voice while looking down at the baby. “I’m sure you’d like that, too, wouldn’t you? Loud pipes and babies go together like yardbirds and canines.”

Theeressa smiled as she listened to the group talking around her as she ate a warm meal. “Kassa likes music so I bet she would. She loves mama’s singing.” Laressa laughed ignoring the fact the harper was joking.

Mari grinned. “Believe it or not, some babies enjoy loud music,” she replied. “My mother told me on many occasions that I would fall straight to sleep as soon as the rowdiest Harpers started performing. I suppose she should have known what she was in for with me at that point.”

“There is nothing quiet about our house.” Theeressa assured softly as she carried on eating the meal. She was enjoying the fact she was eating a meal while having to hold Kassa for the first time that day. The baby had been a handful since she had woke up before dawn.

“Well, then maybe she WILL like it,” said Mari, still smiling at the baby. “Or else she’ll sleep through it. One of the two.”

“Let’s hope for both.” Theeressa was not opposed to one or the other but both would be easier with her father coming and going at all times of the day and night.

“Both is good,” agreed Mari. “Maybe it’ll help her sleep through the night. What do you think?” she asked the baby in the same soothing, high pitched tone she had used earlier. “Are you going to sleep all night long so ma can get some sleep? Yes? Oh, I think you can. I’m sure you can! Of course!”

“Let us hope she sleeps as her father in on night healer duty.” Theeressa admitted as Laressa needed help with cutting up some meat. The cook was not going to argue when the girl barely wanted to eat meat sometimes.

“My mother believes I slept through the night from the time I was born,” Mara said, still in the sweet baby voice. “But my brother claims that he would get up with me at night and feed and change me and put me back to bed. My mother does not believe him as he was only 12 turns old, but I believe him because newborn babies do not sleep all night.”

“No, they don’t, but I love our nights feeding by the fire,” Theeressa said, smiling at the baby as Kassa closed her eyes at the motion and drifted off to sleep. “We do not often come to the Hold for our meals, but I did not feel like being alone tonight.” It would be a nice walk back after the meal, with the sun still in the sky allowed Theeressa to have a catch up properly with Laressa.

“Sometimes I like to change up my routine, too,” agreed Ouemi. “It’s good for the mind. Gives it something different to focus on.”

“My husband is a senior journeyman healer so he has long hours right now.” Theeressa admitted with a sad smile. She did not mind but it did make her days long sometimes so it was nice to break it all up.

“I remember those days,” said Mari with a nod. “Although I’m willing to bet a healer is busier than a Harper.”

“He very much is.” Theeressa said smiling. She was proud of Riklan despite everything he had kept moving forward to achieve what he wanted to achieve with a master healer eventually.

It didn’t take a trained Harper to recognize the pride in Theeressa’s voice. Mari had heard it many times from her own parents when talking about both her and her brother, and she had used the tone herself when bragging about her bronze rider brother. “You sound very proud,” she said, shifting the baby slightly.

“I am. He is a good man.” Theeressa said quickly. She had no doubt that he would have done amazing things sooner without her but she loved that he wanted her and the 2 little girls they had brought into the world.

“He is a very good healer.” The woman across who had been reassuring that they had offered to help spoke up. “And a good husband and father.” She added. A craft did not define a man, she had seen good healers and bad healers but she knew a good man. “But this girl can cook.” She added pointing at Theeressa who blushed.

“A good cook is worth twenty Healers,” Mari replied, quoting her own father. “A healer told me that once. I didn’t know what he meant at the time, but well-fed folk have fewer problems than the underfed.”

“Thank you.” Theeressa said, still blushing a little under the compliment. “I try my best.” She assured but the old woman scoffed. She had her opinions on that simplicity that the woman thought she brought the world.

“The tavern isn’t the same without you.” She assured quickly.

“See there?” said Mai, now gently rocking the baby from side to side. “Invaluable.”

“Maybe I will come back eventually. I need to figure out childcare arrangements properly.” She admitted. It was not just as easy as putting Laressa in crèche or harper lessons.

“Alas!” said Mari, feigning disappointment of the highest order. “I would love to watch them, but I’m afraid a master Harper’s job is far too demanding. Unless you’d like to be my apprentice,” she said to the baby, her voice turning soft once more. “What do you think? Do you want to be a piper or instrument maker? Both? Why not?”

“We have Harper lessons but Kassa is too small to go.” Laressa piped up grinning at the gravy on her cheek that Theeressa was trying to clean up.

“No one needs to arrange anything. Kassa will eventually not need me all the time and I can get back to feed you.” Theeressa laughed.

“Too small for Harper lessons?” Mari asked Laressa, eyeing the baby. “Are you sure? Hm, maybe. Perhaps in a sevenday!” she teased, giving Theeressa a wink.

Theeressa smiled feeling relaxed for the first time in the hold in a very long time. “I can take her back Master Mari. I have eaten and you must have duties to get to.” Theeressa said aware of the fact this woman had rank and was helping her of all people right then and there.

“I do, actually,” replied Mari regretfully, handing the baby back to her mother. “But I’ll use any excuse to hold a baby.”

Theeressa instantly cuddled the baby close and smiled at the baby who instantly recognised her and smiled up at her. “You are welcome to hold Kassa anytime. I appreciate being able to eat my meal.” The woman said thankful.

Mari gave her a gentle smile. I may just take you up on that offer,” she said as she stood. “But now people are beginning to look my way. I suspect it’s time to gather my pipes.”

“Enjoy Master Mari.” The woman said gathering her plates and children to leave the hall to get some at a decent time and with some light in the sky. Laressa offered a polite wave, she would see the woman soon enough in her classes.

Mari gave one last wave to Laressa before they parted ways. Southern was turning out to be nice. It was hot, yes, but the people were welcoming and friendly and she was doing what she loved. She believed she was going to like it here.